SNOW, REBELS BLOCK KABUL SUPPLY ROUTES

Snow and rebel ambushes have blocked the two key supply routes into Kabul, creating severe hardship for many of the capital's poorer residents.

Government officials said Sunday the Salang Highway linking the Soviet Union and Kabul was cut by snowfall and there was no traffic from the eastern city of Jalalabad - the second supply route into Kabul and the key source of perishable goods - because of the ambushes.The blockages have resulted in skyrocketing prices and shortages of diesel fuel used to run the capital's electricity generator and bread ovens, and medicines to treat children suffering from malnutrition, Western and Afghan officials said.